Afrormosia Afromosia vs Teak for Exteriors Pericopsis elata Afromosia (AKA Afrormosia) is an African hardwood which is an acceptable Teak alternative. Its appearance is a bit darker than Teak and has a more pronounced grain pattern. Afromosia also shows distinct ribbon striping in a quartersawn much like African Sapele and unlike Teak. It is rot resistant and very hard making it a … [Read more...] about Afrormosia

Milicia excelsa AKA African Teak Iroko is a West African hardwood often also called African Teak due to the similar yellow brown color of the two species. Iroko wood comes from Africa, whereas old growth Teak comes from Southeast Asia. Like Teak, Iroko wood is a water resistant species (not water proof) and ideal for exterior applications. Iroko wood is most often used for exterior … [Read more...] about Iroko Wood

African Mahogany Khaya ivorensis African Mahogany is the common name for a multitude of species variants, the two most common of which are Khaya ivorensis and Khaya senegalensis. At J. Gibson McIlvain, we only stock a couple of these species, and we keep close track of which is which so we can supply consistency in color, grain, and workability to our customers. Regardless, we have … [Read more...] about African Mahogany

White Oak Wood is a Strong Hardwood Quercus Alba White Oak wood is a very strong hardwood that is used for hardwood flooring, furniture, and exterior siding. Though often confused with Red Oak based on its appearance, White Oak lumber is actually harder, denser and much better than Red Oak when used for exterior applications. The pores are filled with a crystalline substance called Tyloses … [Read more...] about White Oak Wood

Walnut Wood Black Walnut Wood is Prized for Its Dark Color Juglans Nigra American Black Walnut is unique as a domestic species, because there are no other North American species of wood with the same distinct chocolate brown colored heartwood. Since the colonies started exporting Walnut lumber back to Britain and Europe, the wood's beautiful color and grain began to gain … [Read more...] about Walnut Wood

Utile/Sipo Entandrophragma utile Utile or Sipo is an African hardwood known for its deep red color and rot resistant nature ideal for exterior projects. It is often used these days as an alternative to Genuine Mahogany. Utile, like many tropical African woods, rates as durable to moderately durable for rot and bug resistance. The names "Utile" and "Sipo" refer to the same species, but it … [Read more...] about Utile/Sipo

Tectona grandis Teak wood is known for its lovely golden brown color, although when freshly machined, it can sometimes have a variable pattern. Over time, and with exposure to sun and air, the streaks mellow into the signature golden brown appearance for which Teak is so prized. Vertical grain Teak lumber is highly sought after for boat decking applications because of its consistent … [Read more...] about Teak

Cedrela huberi, odorata, fissilis Despite its name, Spanish Cedar is not only a hardwood (and therefore not a Cedar at all), but it is also not Spanish. The wood actually comes from the Meliaceae family, along with Mahogany and grows throughout South America. Spanish Cedar is similar to Genuine Mahogany in its beautiful coloration, attractive grain pattern, and great workability. The … [Read more...] about Spanish Cedar

Sapele LumberAfrican Hardwood for Exterior Trim, Siding, and Decking Entandrophragma Cylindricum Sapele is in the same family as Mahogany and the same genus as Utile, and as a result, it shares many of the same qualities with these woods.  It is an outstanding exterior wood often used for decking, siding, and porch ceilings. Sapele is a mainstay for exterior doors and window construction. … [Read more...] about Sapele

Red Oak Lumber: the Durable Flooring and Cabinetry Choice Quercus Rubra Red Oak wood, like most of the North American Oaks, is very hearty and grows quite large, which results in high availability and affordable pricing. Red Oak lumber is best used for interior hardwood flooring and cabinetry. It is often found in pallets as well as in staircase construction due to its open grain … [Read more...] about Red Oak Wood

Lirodendron tulipifera Poplar wood, lacking bold coloration or an exciting grain pattern, doesn't often get the respect we feel it deserves. Poplar is about half as hard as Red Oak so it is quite easy to work. This makes it one of the most popular hardwood species for mouldings and linear millwork. The even grain and naturally smooth surface makes it an excellent candidate for painting as … [Read more...] about Poplar Wood

Hard and Soft Maple Lumber Hard Maple or Sugar Maple Acer Saccharum Maple is one of the widest spread species in North America and can be found in nearly every region of the continent. J. Gibson McIlvain stocks two of the most common species: Hard and Soft Maple. Hard Maple is also known as Rock Maple or Sugar Maple, and as one of its names implies, it is very hard for a domestic … [Read more...] about Hard and Soft Maple Lumber

Genuine Mahogany Wood Swietenia macrophylla Central & South American Mahogany Lumber The species commonly known as "Genuine Mahogany" refers to Swietenia macrophylla, a type of wood that grows in Central and South America. The term "Genuine" is mainly a way of separating this species from the more recent market entrants which come from Africa and Asia. When Mahogany first … [Read more...] about Genuine Mahogany Wood

Prunus Serotina Cherry Lumber: A Furniture Wood Like No Other The Appalachian region of the United States produces beautiful Cherry wood, and J. Gibson McIlvain buys directly from many sawmills in Pennsylvania and other areas throughout the Ohio Valley. Over the years, we have discovered that this region tends to produce the consistent color and characteristics of top quality Cherry … [Read more...] about Appalachian Cherry Wood